Kiambu County Reports Suspected Mpox Case

The Kiambu County government has confirmed that there is a suspected case of Mpox (monkeypox) within the county.

In a press release dated Saturday, August 17 and seen by Viral Tea, the county government took cognizance of social media reports regarding the suspected case of Mpox in the county.

"We wish to confirm that there is indeed a suspected case, which is currently under thorough laboratory investigation. We are awaiting the official lab results and will provide a comprehensive update as soon as they are available," the statement read in part.

However, Kiambu County residents were assured that there was no need for alarm at this stage, the county government adding that "through the Department of Health Services, has activated all necessary measures to ensure the safety and well-being of our residents."

A nurse takes a sample from a child declared a suspected case of Mpox - an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus that sparks off a painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes and fever. /NBC NEWS

The details regarding the suspected case were yet to be revealed. The Ministry of Health has also yet to comment on the matter by the time of publishing this story.

"The County Government of Kiambu is closely monitoring the situation and is prepared to respond promptly and effectively to any developments. We urge the public to remain calm and to follow official channels for updates and information," added the statement.

Viral Tea has reliably learnt that the suspected Mpox case was reported on Saturday at Vineyard Hospital in Thika of a 21-year-old lady working in an avocado exporting factory in Kenol.

She had been in contact with customers and drivers from Uganda, Tanzania, Bungoma, Sondu Miriu, and Nandi Hills who bring fruits to the factory.

This comes as Kenya has heightened its public health defences against the potentially deadly Mpox virus, leveraging the very protocols that proved crucial in battling the COVID-19 pandemic just a few years ago.

With over 500 lives lost to Mpox in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) now classifying the virus as a global public health emergency, Kenya has adopted a vigilant stance, particularly in light of its porous borders with neighbouring East African countries.

As Mpox looms on the horizon, Kenya’s borders have become critical control points. Mary Muthoni, Principal Secretary of the State Department for Public Health & Professional Standards, confirmed that measures akin to those deployed during the COVID-19 pandemic are now in full force.

“At the border points, you will find active equipment like thermoguns, thermoscanners, personal protective equipment, handwashing facilities, and hand sanitisers. We are also sensitising the masses on what they need to do to prevent Mpox,” she told Citizen TV on Friday.

The strategy is a deliberate echo of the tactics that helped Kenya navigate the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Digital thermometers, now an essential tool in the fight against viral outbreaks, have once again taken centre stage.

These devices, equipped with infrared sensors, can swiftly measure body temperature without physical contact, making them ideal for screening large groups of people at border points. During the COVID-19 crisis, they were vital in identifying potential cases and curbing the virus's spread.

Mpox, caused by a virus in the same family as smallpox, is generally less severe but still poses a significant threat. Originally transmitted from animals to humans, it now spreads primarily through close human contact.

The virus is transmitted through close contact, including sexual contact, skin-to-skin interaction, and even through respiratory droplets. It can also spread via contaminated objects such as bedding, clothing, or towels. This makes public education and hygiene critical components of Kenya's response. 

Early symptoms mirror those of many viral infections: fever, headaches, swelling, back pain, and muscle aches. However, the disease's progression can be distressing. Once the fever subsides, a rash often appears, usually starting on the face before spreading across the body. 

The rash, which can be intensely itchy or painful, progresses through several stages before scabbing over and eventually falling off. In severe cases, particularly among vulnerable groups such as children, the lesions can cover the entire body, including sensitive areas like the eyes, mouth, and genitals.

Kenya’s vigilance is especially crucial given its porous borders with East African neighbours, where the virus could easily slip through. However, the Ministry of Health moved quickly to reassure the public, with Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa announcing on Friday that 12 people who had interacted with the country’s only confirmed Mpox case were traced, tested, and found negative. 

Additionally, six other suspected cases also tested negative, leaving Kenya with just one confirmed Mpox case, a truck driver who was transiting from Uganda to Rwanda via Kenya. This individual, who was identified on July 29, 2024, has since made a full recovery.